Three Farmers Jailed For ‘Racially Motivated’ Murder Of North West Farm Dweller

The North Gauteng High Court has sentenced three farmers to life imprisonment each for the 2023 killing of a farm dweller in Mamokgalieskraal, near Brits in North West.

Jaco Wessels Kemp (36), Louise Coetzee (29), and Gert Frederik van der Westhuizen (38) were convicted of the premeditated murder of Dumisani Phakathi.

In addition to life sentences, the court ruled that all three are unfit to possess firearms and ordered them to hand over all weapons, ammunition, licences, and permits to authorities.

Brutal Farm Attack and Attempted Body Disposal

The court heard that on 16 September 2023, the trio had been socialising at a chicken farm in Mamokgalieskraal.

At around 4pm, they spotted Phakathi walking past the property on his way to fetch water from a nearby furrow used by the community.

They confronted him and launched a violent assault before dragging him into a storage facility on the farm. The attack continued inside until he died from his injuries.

According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, police made a shocking discovery hours later.

“In the early hours of 17 September 2023, at approximately 2am, Kemp and Coetzee were stopped by police during a stop-and-search operation on the R511 towards Brits while driving a bakkie.”

The vehicle contained black refuse bags. During the search, officers noticed human legs sticking out.

“Upon further inspection, they discovered the bloodied body of the deceased, with his head covered in plastic,” she said.

Court Rejects Pleas as Judge Finds ‘No Remorse’

Kemp and Coetzee were arrested immediately, while van der Westhuizen handed himself over two days later after being linked to the crime.

All three pleaded not guilty, but state prosecutor Lawrence More presented evidence that secured convictions.

In mitigation, the accused asked the court to impose a lesser sentence, citing time already spent in custody and their responsibilities as parents.

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However, the State opposed this, arguing the killing was senseless and brutal.

More told the court the deceased was murdered in a cruel manner, and his body was placed in refuse bags in an apparent attempt to dump it.

Victim impact statements were also presented, facilitated by court preparation officer Lebogang Lebese. In one statement, Phakathi’s sister said she no longer trusts white people following the incident.

The court found that the accused showed no remorse.

“Therefore, the only conclusion he can derive from the killing is that it was racially motivated,” Mahanjana said.

The NPA welcomed the outcome, reaffirming its commitment to holding perpetrators accountable, especially in cases involving violence against vulnerable individuals.